Stoutsgiving Returns to Big Ditch Brewing

It’s that time of year again, when Big Ditch rolls out the barrels for their annual celebration of all things dark beer – Stoutsgiving. This year there will be 9 new beers, plus one vintage beer. This year’s lineup includes Bourbon Barrel Aged Aqueduct Imperial Stout 2023 (draft, 500 mL bottles), Aqueduct Rare 2023 (draft, 500mL bottles), Aqueduct Double Barrel 2023 (draft, 500mL bottles), Aqueduct Rum 2023 (draft, 500mL bottles), The Tower Barleywine 2023 (draft, 500mL bottles), Mudlarked Imperial Stout with Rocky Road (draft, crowlers), Mudlarked Imperial Stout with Pecan Pie (draft, crowlers), Peanut Butter Cookie Stout (draft, crowlers), Mele Kaliki-Mocha (draft, crowlers), and Aqueduct Port (draft, crowlers). Packaged selections will be available for preorder on Nov. 22 (pickup only) by clicking here.

Clarksburg Cider Taproom to Temporarily Close

Due to kitchen staffing issues, Clarksburg Cider has announced the temporary closure of their Clarence taproom. “As you can imagine, without a properly staffed kitchen, we can’t give you the taproom experience that you deserve,” the cidery said on Facebook. “So, we’ve made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Tap Room while we rebuild our kitchen team. We appreciate your patience as we prepare to welcome you back with the food, drink, and service you’ve come to expect from us.” For any and all updates, you can sign up for their email newsletter here. In the meantime, you can still purchase cans of Clarksburg Cider wherever great craft cider is sold.

Beer Mile at Bottle Rocket Beer Reserve

Bottle Rocket’s annual Beer Mile returns on November 12. What is a beer mile you ask? It’s simple – chug a beer, run a 1/4 mile, try not to puke, then repeat 3 more times. Things get underway at 10am with a party, including food and prizes, to follow. The event will take place on a 1/4-mile course in the parking lots and streets surrounding Bottle Rocket. The event is limited to a total of 90 participants. There will be 3 heats of 30 each. Beer served during the event will be Genesee Cream Ale. You can sign up for the Beer Mile here.

Holiday eGift Card Sale at Beer Kind Brewing

Beer Kind Brewing, who plans to open in the new year at 2765 Kenmore Avenue in Tonawanda, are holding a gift card sale this month. Now through November 30, you can purchase an eGift card and receive 20% off with promo code BEERKIND23. You can get a $25 eGift card for $20, $50 card for $40, $75 for $60, $100 for $80 or whatever custom value you’d like. You can order yours eGift card at https://squareup.com/gift/ML8YZWTE01176/order. These eGift cards are redeemable upon opening with no expiration date and are fully refundable if the brewery is now open by December 31, 2024.

Community Beer Works Wing Bash, Pod of Whales Release

Community Beer Works are teaming up with Hamburg’s Rush Creek Ale House for a special Thursday Night Wing Bash on November 16. The event will feature $0.25 chicken wings beginning at noon, with free samplings of CBW’s Single Order Hazy IPA and The Whale starting at 5pm. There will also be swag giveaways from 5-8pm. Rush Creek Ale House is located at 5381 Abbott Road in Hamburg.

CBW has also released their Pod of Whales mixed variety pack, which this year features 4 12oz. cans each of OG The Whale, White Russian The Whale (inspired by the classic cocktail with flavors of coffee and cream) and Choco Taco The Whale (a nod to your favorite frozen treat, made with real sugar cones, vanilla bean, chocolate and peanuts). This mixed 12-pack is available now at the brewery and wherever great craft beer is sold.

19th Annual Holiday Valley Beer & Wine Festival

The 19th Annual Beer & Wine Festival at Holiday Valley, which takes place November 11, will feature many of the region’s best craft brewers, wineries and cideries. There will be two sessions, 1-4pm and 5-8pm. There will be live music from XOXO, Porcelain Busdrivers and Todd Mertens, beer from Eli Fish Brewing, Wayland Brewing, Britesmith Brewing, Hamburg Brewing, 12 Gates Brewing, Froth Brewing, 42 North, Big Ditch, Flying Bison, Woodcock Brothers and more, cider from Clarksburg and more and hard teas, sodas and seltzers from Marquee Brewing. Tickets are $65 presale, increasing to $70 day of.

Lighting of Fireplace, Dual Beer Release at Hamburg Brewing

By now you’ve noticed the temperatures outside dropping, so it’s time for Hamburg Brewing to light the fireplace in their taproom, and they will do so on November 15 (6:45pm). There will be live music from Sue Kincaid & Doug Yeomans starting at 7pm, as well as a pair of new beers – Fruit Lou-Oops, a fruited take on their Louie IPA (expect the same bright hop notes that you’re accustomed to, but with a fruit punch), along with the returning OMS Oatmeal Milk Stout (a roasty stout backbone balanced by the sweetness of oats and milk sugar). OMS will be a draft only release. The event is free and open to the public.

Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).